AP Biology
Course Description and Classroom Policy
Ms. Chen
fice: 421JClassroom: 425
AP Biology is a college-level biology course designed for able and motivated students who share an interest in biology. This course aims to provide you with the conceptual framework and analytical skills necessary to understand and assess the rapidly growing field of biology. The recently revised AP Biology curriculum consists of specific learning objectives linked to four “Big Ideas” and seven “Science Practices.”
Big Ideas:
1. The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
2. Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis
3. Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
4. Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.
Visit the College Board website for more information about the AP program, including explicit statements of the learning objectives and science practices mentioned above.
The AP Exam and College Credit
The AP Program of the College Board is designed to give high school students the opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced placement in college above introductory courses. This is a program of credit by examination. All AP Biology students are expected to take the AP exam. AP Biology Exam grades are assigned on a scale of 1-5, five being the highest with 3 as the minimum passing score. Be aware that colleges are not obligated to award credit for any score. At some schools, students may be entitled to use AP credit only for courses outside their major. Other schools may offer accelerated coursework for students who have passed AP. Still others make no consideration of AP scores at all beyond the college admissions process.
The AP exam is schedule on the morning of Monday, May 14th, 2018
Why take AP Biology?
AP Biology students collect, interpret, and organize information about the natural world. The broad scope of biology makes this pursuit both fascinating and challenging. You may discover a personal interest in the molecular structure of a gene or in the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant! My hope is that in the process of honing your academic skills, you find this material as exciting and cool as I do!!
You have jumped into the deep end of the pool.
AP Biology (as any AP course) will make unusually heavy demands on your time and energy. You are responsible for your own learning. More specifically, you will be responsible for an extensive amount of reading from a college biology textbook and you must possess or be willing to develop the self-discipline to pace your own studying. You have a variety of resources at your disposal, and you will be expected to use them to your best advantage, and of your own volition. Welcome to AP Biology!
When, where, and for what reason can I contact the instructor?
One of the resources I encourage you to use is face-to-face time with me. Every AP student will need extra encouragement and/or extra instruction at some point during the year. The AP pace is very quick, so it is of the utmost importance that you communicate with me the moment you begin to feel overwhelmed or stressed or just plain confused. (I like to hear about your successes, too.) Ms. Chen is available during Monday X-blocks. Otherwise, please arrange an appointment for before school. I ask that you respect my “free” blocks as planning periods. Email is an excellent communication tool, use it to set up appointments, ask brief questions, or share exciting news and insights.
Text
Campbell Biology, 9th ed. (2011) by Jane B. Reese, et al. Take it home. Cherish it. Use the CD-ROM. It will really help clarify lots of things.
Many students also find the Bozeman Science videos ( especially helpful. A number of them will be assigned watching throughout the year.
Grading system Terms 1-3**Term 4 grades will be determined by different categories
30% Tests and Quizzes30% Labs10% Participation30% Projects
Class Instruction, Assessment, and Outside Assignments
- Class instruction consists of guided discussions, student presentations, and laboratory investigations. Prepare for class by completing assigned reading and viewing relevant digital media. Note: Reading quizzes occur sporadically and may or may not be announced. If reading is assigned, you should assume there WILL be a quiz. Additional handouts will follow for guidelines concerning lab reports.
- Tests will cover the most recently completed curriculum unit, and are modeled after AP exams to prepare for the one in May. Tests are timed. If your IEP or 504 plan dictates a need for extra time you must pre-arrange this with your teacher. A cumulative make-up exam will be administered during X block once per term for those students who missed a test. If you took all tests that term, you may take the cumulative test to replace one test score per. You must declare what test you will be replacing. The cumulative grade stands regardless of whether or not it is an improvement upon the original grade.
- Most of your grade is consists of projects and labs (pre-lab, post-lab questions, lab write-ups). Due dates will be posted on the class website, and usually will be written on the board. You are responsible for checking the website daily for the most up-to-date information. Assignments are due at the beginning of class, with your name and block written in the upper right hand corner and all pages stapled securely together. Assignments that were not turned in and exams that were not taken due to a cut will be graded as a zero. You may submit assignments at the next class meeting if you were out for an excused absence on the original due date. If you must be absent from school for an extended time, please correspond with me to keep up with your work as best you can and meet with me upon your return to re-establish due dates. Unexcused late work will not be accepted.
- Daily small assignments such as textbook readings with reading questions, or other small reading/guided questions are for you to learn the materials necessary and to be prepared for class. Therefore, they will NOT BE GRADED! I might occasionally conduct spot checks to make sure you are doing these assignments. This will really be part of your “effort” grade that goes into participation. Ultimately, doing these assignments will help you in mastering the material.
- If you miss class, check the website and with a classmate to find out what you have missed. It is not my responsibility to seek you out and give you your assignments. Be advised that it simply may not be possible to make up some labs or other group activities. Alternate assignments may be assigned in these situations. There are no make-up tests. If you are absent for a test, you must sit for the cumulative.
Expectations for AP Biology students
Materials:
A simple 4-function calculator with square root
- required for classes and the AP exam. A more complex calculator will not be permitted on the exam, but may be used in class.
Access to word processing and spreadsheet programs and the Internet
A three-ring binder with dividers is recommended.
- There will be handouts. Organize them. If you need help organizing your materials, please ask!
- Retain everything until the course is over and final grades are in.
You will need a notebook or binder paper of your choice
A separate lab notebook to be kept in-class most of the time.
Many students find a review book a useful supplement to the text both in preparation for tests administered in class and the AP exam.
- It is not required and is not a substitute for reading the textbook.
Conduct yourself with an inquiring mind, a sense of humor, and behavior that displays concern and respect for yourself and one another in body, mind, and spirit.
You should cultivate strong reading, computational, and composition skills or the desire to work hard to improve in these areas.
Exercise of laboratory safety according to the accompanying handout.
Honesty is paramount. Plagiarism, cheating, falsifying data, and other academically dishonest behaviors will result in stiff penalties such as failing grades, disciplinary action, and notification of college admissions offices.
The NNHS library website provides a link to the school-wide plagiarism policy as well as resources to help you document sources and avoid accidental plagiarism. We will strictly enforce the school policy.
Impeccable attendance is a prerequisite to success in this class. I will strictly enforce the N rule. Late arrivals and early dismissals are expected to submit assignments on the due date upon their arrival to or dismissal from school. In other words, if you attend other classes on the day an AP Biology assignment is due, you are expected to submit the assignment. If you cannot find me in person, slip it into my mailboxes in the Main Office or under my office doors.